Cigar structure

ABSTRACT

A cigar having a tobacco filler, a binder surrounding the filler and a wrapper overlying the binder, is provided with a sheet of extensible material intermediate the filler and the wrapper in the head of the cigar forwardly of its tip. The extensible sheet stretches when the head of the cigar is engaged by the teeth of a smoker thereby to reduce stress on the binder and wrapper at the cigar tip caused by the normal tendency of the filler tobacco to be displaced rearwardly into the cigar tip during the smoking process. In the present instance, the extensible material is preferably lightweight paper having a stretch of about 4-20 percent, preferably 6-12 percent, and being wrapped around the filler or binder and underlying the wrapper in the head of the cigar to dispose the stretch properties circumferentially therearound.

nited States Louden at ent Apr. 4, 1972 l (IIGAR STRUCTURE [72] Inventor: William G. Louden, Bucks County, Erwinna, Pa.

[22] Filed: Mar. 17, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 20,260

[52] 11.8. CI ..13l/11 [51] Int. Cl .A24d 01/04, A24f 07/00 [58] FieldofSearch ..131/11 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,067,753 12/1962 Kaufmann ..131/11 R25,355 3/1963 Touton..... 131/11 3,189,032 6/1965 Brothers 131/11 2,624,245 l/1953 Cluett ..162/206 2,914,071 11/1959 Straus.... ..l31/ll 3,053,261 9/1962 Sieven ..l31/1l X about 4-20 percent,

Primary Examiner-Aldrich F. Medbery Assistant Examiner-J. F. Pitrelli Attorney-Howson and Howson [5 7] ABSTRACT A cigar having a tobacco filler, a binder surrounding the filler and a wrapper overlying the binder, is provided with a sheet of extensible material intermediate the tiller and the wrapper in the head of the cigar forwardly of its tip. The extensible sheet stretches when the head of the cigar is engaged by the teeth of a smoker thereby to reduce stress on the binder and wrapper at the cigar tip caused by the normal tendency of the filler tobacco to be displaced rearwardly into the cigar tip during the smoking process. In the present instance, the extensible material is preferably lightweight paper having a stretch of preferably 6-12 percent, and being wrapped around the filler or binder and underlying the wrapper in the head of the cigar to dispose the stretch properties cireumferentially therearound.

7 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures 2 7 9 11 "M P A d e t n e at a P a E F mvcmon; WILLIAM G. LOUDEN ATTYS.

CIGAR STRUCTURE The present invention relates-to the manufacture of cigars, and more particularly, the present invention relates to new and useful improvements in the structure of a cigar for preventing its tip from opening and enabling filler tobacco to be extruded therethrough during smoking.

Heretofore, a number of attempts have been made to reduce or eliminate the tendency for the tip of a cigar to open while the cigar is being smoked. The prior art contains many suggestions concerning cigars having reinforced tips which resist the pressure applied by a smokers teeth, and thereby prevent the tips from opening. An example of this approach to the problem confronting the art is disclosed in the patent to Brothers (US. Pat. No. 3,189,032) wherein a cigar is provided with a corrugated layer of material having circumferentially-spaced, inwardly-projecting ribs extending longitudinally in the head and tip of the cigar intermediate the cigar binder and wrapper.

Other examples of reinforced cigar heads are disclosed in the patents to Kaufmann (US. Pat. Nos. 3,067,753 and 3,252,465); Touten (Re. No. 25,355); and Straus (US. Pat. No. 2,914,071).

Reinforced structures, such as those utilizing a material having circumferentially-spaced, inwardly-projecting ribs, however, possess certain limitations. For instance, the reinforced cigar head possesses a firmness which some cigar smokers may find undesirable. Also, ribs formed in the reinforcing paper may not be completely hidden by the outer wrapper, thereby giving the cigar an appearance which is not entirely pleasing. Moreover, reinforced head structures are complex, and therefore may not be economical to manufacture.

With the foregoing in mind, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a cigar having a novel head and tip structure which is resistant to opening while the cigar is being smoked.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a cigar having a tip and a head with a firmness substantially equal to the firmness of conventional cigars.

As a further object, the present invention provides a cigar having an improved tip structure with an outward appearance substantially the same as a conventional cigar but which is resistant to opening and the consequent extrusion of tobacco during smoking.

As a still further object, the present invention provides a cigar having a unique tip which is economical to produce by cigar manufacturing machinery.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention should become apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view in reduced scale of a cigar-wrapping table on which is disposed a cigar binder underlying a charge of filler tobacco and overlying a strip of extensible material to be wrapped around the binder in the head and tip of the cigar;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the mouth end or tip of a cigar embodying the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a view of the cigar of FIG. 2 with a major portion of its wrapper removed to expose the underlying extensible strip and portions of the strip and binder being broken away to illustrate interior details of one embodiment of the cigar structure;

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2 to illustrate the normal cross-section of the head of the cigar of one embodiment before being engaged by a smokers teeth during smoking;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a smoker having a portion of his mouth broken away and sectioned to illustrate the manner in which the cigar is compressed between his teeth during smoking; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5 to illustrate the oblate configuration into which the cigar head is compressed between the teeth of the smoker.

Referring now to the drawing, there is illustrated in FIG. 2 a cigar l0 embodying the present invention. Outwardly, the

cigar 10 has the appearance of a conventional cigar, having a head 11 and a tip 12 rearwardly adjacent thereto with the head 11 being engaged by a smoker's teeth 13 substantially as shown in FIG. 5 during smoking. Like the conventional cigar, the cigar of the present invention has a filler (core) 14 (FIG. 3) of tobacco which is surrounded by a binder 15 which is a sheet of homogenized tobacco. Overlying the binder 15 is a wrapper 16 of fine leaf tobacco which is wrapped therearound and shaped in the final stages of the cigar-making process.

When the head of the conventional cigar is engaged by the smokers teeth during smoking, pressure is exerted on its filler. The pressure is transmitted by filler tobacco and acts on the interior of the tip against the binder and wrapper to cause the tip to open. As a result, particles of filler tobacco tend to be displaced rearwardly, ultimately being extruded into the smokers mouth. Furthermore, frequently the teeth cut the wrapper and the binder, exposing the tiller tobacco and permitting filler tobacco to escape through the cut. As noted heretofore, this is undesirable.

The present invention eliminates the aforementioned disadvantages associated with the conventional cigar. To this end, extensible means 20 is provided underneath the wrapper 16 in the head and tip of the cigar. The extensible means 20 may be disposed intermediate the binder 15 and wrapper 16 such as in the illustrated embodiment; or, the extensible means may be disposed immediately adjacent the tiller tobacco l4 underneath the binder 15. Preferably, the extensible means 20 includes a relatively narrow band of extensible or stretchable paper 20 (about 1 Vi inches wide) wrapped around the binder 15 with its width being disposed parallel to the axis of wrapping. As may be seen in FIG. 3, widthwise end margins of the band 20 overlap one another, and the band 20 is affixed to the binder 15 by means of an adhesive strip 21 carried on the obverse side of the right hand widthwise margin (see FIG. 1). An adhesive strip 22 is similarly carried on the left hand widthwise margin so that when the band is wrapped around the binder 15 as illustrated in FIG. 3, the left hand strip of adhesive 22 engages the reverse side of the right hand widthwise margin of the band to secure the band thereon. The band 20 is affixed to the binder 15 when it is laid flat on the top of a cigar-wrapping table 23 with the adhesive strips 21 and 22 facing away from the surface. The binder 15, cut on a bias as illustrated in FIG. 1, is positioned to overlie and adhesively engage the band 20 in a manner which causes the left hand margin of the band to extend leftward past the left edge 15a of the binder l5 and the upper edge 20b of the band 20 to be in substantial registry with the upper edge 15b of the binder. Next, the filler or core tobacco 14 is spread out on the right hand margin of the binder 15 as illustrated in FIG. 1. The binder 15 is wrapped around the filler tobacco when the right hand margin thereof is rolled leftward and the adhesive strip 21 is pressed into contact with the underlying reverse side of the band 20. The wrapper 16 is thereafter wrapped around the binder 15 and the tip of the cigar is shaped in conventional cigar tip-forming machinery, and the tip is cut if desired.

Although the mechanics by which the present invention operates to prevent opening or distension of the cigar tip cannot be fully explained, theoretically it is believed that the paper band 20 stretches or extends circumferentially in the head of the cigar to enable the filler tobacco to be displaced laterally outward upon the application of pressure by the smokers teeth (see FIG. 6). When the cigar 10 is removed from the smokers mouth and the tooth pressure is relieved, stretching of the band ceases; however, when the cigar 10 is reinserted in the smokers mouth and tooth pressure is again applied, the band stretches further and additional lateral movement of the filler tobacco occurs. Although the band 20 is illustrated in a stretched position in FIG. 6, it is believed that similar stretching also occurs in the zones rearwardly of the teeth. However, the amount of stretch in this zone may be expected to be less because of the redistribution of pressure in the filler tobacco. Thus, in this manner, it is believed that the pressure which is normally applied inside the cigar tip during smoking is reduced, and opening of the tip with the concomitant extrusion of filler tobacco into the smokers mouth is thereby avoided.

As noted heretofore, the band 20 extends in the circumferential direction when the head of the cigar is compressed between the smokers teeth. In accordance with the present invention, it has been found that the paper from which the band 20 is cut must possess specific stretch properties if the cigar structure of the present invention is to perform satisfactorily. Stretch may be built into paper in the machine direction (the direction in which the paper web travels through the paper-making machine) or, in some cases, in the crossmachine direction. Most commercially available stretchable or extensible paper has the stretch characteristics imparted in the machine direction. Upon the application ofa tensile load in the direction ofimparted stretch, the paper employed in accordance with the present invention must extend or stretch at least 4 percent to about 20 percent of its original length before the application of the load. Preferably, the stretch is in a range of about 6 percent to about 12 percent. In the present instance, the stretch properties of the paper are automatically disposed circumferentially in the head of the cigar when the band is cut from a larger sheet of paper with the direction of stretch (most commonly, as stated, the machine direction) extending in the lengthwise direction of the band or normal to the axis of wrapping. Thus, when the band 20 is wrapped around the binder 15, the stretch properties are properly oriented with respect to the direction of applied stress.

Other properties of the band-paper are also important. For instance, it is preferable for the paper to be unbleached, longfibered kraft which may be calendered or uncalendered. The paper preferably also has a minimum of surface irregularities so that it is substantially invisible if placed immediately under the wrapper 16; however, readily visible crepe may be present in the paper, for example if a slight impairment in the surface appearance of the cigar would not be objectionable, or when the paper is disposed between the filler and the binder. In any case, the paper must be lightweight, that is, it must have a ream weight of about to about 50 pounds per 3,000 square feet, conventionally measured by 500 sheets 24 inches by 36 inches. Preferably, the paper has a ream weight of about to about 30 pounds.

The paper band 20 is subjected to a wetting action during smoking. Thus, the paper must have sufficient wet strength to resist rupturing caused by tensile stresses applied thereto when the head of the cigar is compressed and wetted between the smokers teeth. It is believed that the primary stress applied to the paper band is tensile and in the circumferential direction of the paper. However, it is believed that some tensile stress is also applied in the longitudinal direction. In order to ensure that the paper does not rupture under the aforementioned primary stress when wet, the paper must have a minimum wet tear strength in the circumferential direction of 24 gm. (TAPPI STANDARD TEST). The foregoing wet strength may be provided by the addition of suitable wet strength resins to the paper during the manufacture thereof, as those skilled in the art should readily understand.

In addition to being extensible and having good wet strength, the paper ofthe band 20 must also be pliable or flexible so that it does not impart undesirable hardness to the head of the cigar. Thus, it is important that the paper be substantially free from mechanicallyor chemically-gelatinized fibers. The aforementioned flexibility is desirable not only because it does not increase the hardness of the cigar head but also because the flexible paper is easier to manipulate in the cigarmaking process. As a result, manufacturing economies may be realized.

An example of one preferred type of paper which may be employed satisfactorily in the cigar structure of the present invention is disclosed in the patent to S. L. Cluett (US. Pat. No. 2,624,245). The paper of this patent possesses the required extensibility properties, and it also has surfaces which are substantially free from irregularities readil visible to the naked eye. In addition, this paper can be ma e to possess the other desirable properties mentioned heretofore. Blade-creped paper, which may be calendered to reduce crepe-imparted surface irregulatiries, is also satisfactory.

In view of the foregoing, it would be apparent that a novel cigar structure has now been provided having a tip which is resistant to opening and extruding tobacco during smoking.

While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail, various modifications, alterations or changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a cigar having tobacco filler, a binder surrounding said filler, and a wrapper overlying said binder, one end of said cigar having a tip and a head forwardly adjacent said tip, said head being compressible between the teeth ofa smoker during the smoking process from a circular to a substantially oblate cross-sectional shape, the compression of said teeth normally tending to cause a portion ofsaid filler tobacco to be displaced rearwardly to stress the binder and wrapper at said tip; the improvement comprising: a band of extensible paper underlying said wrapper in said one end, said extensible paper having its direction of extensibility disposed circumferentially in said tip and head of the cigar and constituting a means for stretching the band circumferentially under the influence of said compression to enable said filler tobacco to be displaced laterally outward, whereby the extensible band of paper operates to reduce the tendency of the filler tobacco to be displaced rearwardly during the smoking process.

2. A structure according to claim 1 wherein said extensible band is disposed intermediate said binder and said wrapper.

3. A structure according to claim 1 wherein the extensibility of said paper at least in said circumferential direction is from about 4 percent to about 20 percent.

4. A structure according to claim 3 wherein said paper possesses stretch at least in said circumferential direction from about 6 percent to about 12 percent.

5. A structure according to claim 4 wherein said paper has a minimum wet tear strength of 24 gm. TAPPI STANDARD TEST in said circumferential direction.

6. A structure according to claim 5 wherein said paper has a weight from about 15 to about 30 pounds per ream.

7. A structure according to claim 6 wherein said paper is unbleached kraft. 

1. In a cigar having tobacco filler, a binder surrounding said filler, and a wrapper overlying said binder, one end of said cigar having a tip and a head forwardly adjacent said tip, said head being compressible between the teeth of a smoker during the smoking process from a circular to a substantially oblate crosssectional shape, the compression of said teeth normally tending to cause a portion of said filler tobacco to be displaced rearwardly to stress the binder and wrapper at said tip; the improvement comprising: a band of extensible paper underlying said wrapper in said one end, said extensible paper having its direction of extensibility disposed circumferentially in said tip and head of the cigar and constituting a means for stretching the band circumferentially under the influence of said compression to enable said filler tobacco to be displaced laterally outward, whereby the extensible band of paper operates to reduce the tendency of the filler tobacco to be displaced rearwardly dUring the smoking process.
 2. A structure according to claim 1 wherein said extensible band is disposed intermediate said binder and said wrapper.
 3. A structure according to claim 1 wherein the extensibility of said paper at least in said circumferential direction is from about 4 percent to about 20 percent.
 4. A structure according to claim 3 wherein said paper possesses stretch at least in said circumferential direction from about 6 percent to about 12 percent.
 5. A structure according to claim 4 wherein said paper has a minimum wet tear strength of 24 gm. TAPPI STANDARD TEST in said circumferential direction.
 6. A structure according to claim 5 wherein said paper has a weight from about 15 to about 30 pounds per ream.
 7. A structure according to claim 6 wherein said paper is unbleached kraft. 